In a landmark move toward reforming Nigeria’s approach to substance use, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have launched a high-level initiative to transition the national drug response from a punitive, criminal justice model to a public health-centered approach.
The initiative was formally inaugurated with a three-day sensitization training on Drug Prevention, Treatment, and Care (DPTC) in Abuja. The program is specifically designed to equip national stakeholders with the capacity to address drug use through a lens of human rights, reduced stigma, and community-centered solutions.
A New Paradigm for Drug Policy
The training marks a strategic shift in how Nigeria intends to manage drug-related challenges. By prioritizing evidence-based prevention and care, the UNODC and WHO aim to move away from the traditional focus on criminalization, which often marginalizes users and prevents them from seeking necessary medical help.
Opening the session, the UNODC Country Representative, Cheikh Toure, emphasized that the complexity of drug use requires a unified front.
“There is a need for cross-sector collaboration. UNODC remains committed to supporting Nigeria with balanced, health-focused, and evidence-based responses to drug use. We call for multi-sectoral partnerships to make this transition a reality,” stated Toure.
Investing in Nigeria’s Future
The World Health Organization highlighted that effective drug prevention is not just a medical necessity but a socio-economic imperative. Dr. Funke Odunlade, the WHO Technical Officer for HIV, viral hepatitis, and STIs, noted that the success of the initiative depends heavily on reaching people at the local level.
“Preventing drug use is both a health priority and an investment in Nigeria’s future,” Dr. Odunlade remarked. She further underscored the importance of grassroots engagement and continuous capacity-building as the bedrock for lasting success in the country’s health reforms.
Integrating Global Best Practices
The training provides participants with practical frameworks to integrate drug prevention and treatment into the broader national health and social systems. This integration ensures that interventions are inclusive, culturally sensitive, and aligned with global standards.
By emphasizing stigma reduction and the protection of human rights, the UNODC and WHO are working to ensure that vulnerable populations are not left behind. The program focuses on delivering evidence-based strategies that can be scaled across the federation to provide sustainable care for those in need.
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